Mending the Nets
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Theological notes by David Visser

Mending the Nets

Essays, reading notes, poems and short wisdom on Reformed theology, gathered and mended a little at a time.

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Watercolour of golden light breaking through dark clouds onto a small figure on a hill
“And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets.”Mark 1:19 (ESV)

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Watercolour of a young man seen from behind, standing on a dark ridge before glowing amber clouds and a starry sky.

Essay

What Is Perfection?

David argues that perfection is freedom from sin, that it belongs to intent rather than to objects, achievements or outward actions, and that real change comes from the disposition of the heart: searching it, praying for help and fixing our gaze on Christ.

5 min read

Watercolour of a red leather-bound copy of Reformed Dogmatics lying on a polished library table, with bookshelves and a sunlit window behind.

Notes on Bavinck's Reformed Dogmatics · 1

Bavinck 1: Knowing God and Scripture

Notes on Herman Bavinck's Reformed Dogmatics (abridged), pp. 8-148: theology grounded in revelation rather than experience, the limits of objectivity, Scripture as God's ongoing speech, faith and doubt, and the Spirit's inward certainty.

8 min read

Watercolour of an open Bible on a wooden table, with small painted scenes of biblical figures streaming up out of its pages.

Poem

A Poem for Every Book of the Bible

Short rhymed poems for the books of the Old Testament, Genesis to Malachi, grouped as Law, History, Wisdom and Prophets, each followed by a brief commentary on the book's message and how it points to Christ.

24 min read

Watercolour of a tall brown clay vase standing on a sunlit forest path among trees and ferns.

Essay

The Perfect Vase: An Illustration for Our Creation

David pictures creation as a flawless vase broken by an outside force, and argues that humanity, made in God's image with the ability to withstand any pressure or yield to it, was not made imperfect by being able to deviate.

1 min read

New in the nets

All essays
  1. EssayBaptism: A Name You Cannot UnnameDrawing on Sinclair Ferguson, David argues that physical baptism is a seal because it is a naming ceremony: like a family name it cannot simply be undone, only accepted or denied, so believers should rejoice in it daily.1 min read
  2. EssayHow Was Jesus Tempted?David argues that Jesus was not tempted as we are, since the involuntary first moment of temptation is already sin for us; with Bavinck, he holds that Christ's temptations came from without, and that he went through every human trial but the guilt of sin.2 min read
  3. EssayI Never Doubted You, LordDavid argues that once a believer has decided to follow Jesus, doubt does no good: trust is the honour a child shows a parent, and doubting salvation is different from discerning right teaching.1 min read
  4. EssayLook to Please Your FatherDavid argues that guilt cannot fit in a mind set on pleasing God, that fatherhood gives a felt shadow of how the Father loves his children and accepts their efforts, and that believers should run to him like the prodigal.2 min read
  5. Reading notesNotes on DeeperNotes on Dane Ortlund's Deeper and How Does God Change Us?: growth rooted in God's love, justification outside in and sanctification inside out, defeating sin by looking to Christ, C.S. Lewis on muddy children, and identity in union with Christ.2 min read
  6. Reading notesNotes on The Enemy WithinSix notes from Kris Lundgaard's The Enemy Within on the sin that remains in believers: the deceitful heart, Paul's cry in Romans 7:24, how the flesh resists prayer, the broken harmony of mind, affections and will, and whether God gives enough time.2 min read

From the Wisdom collection

61 sayings, quotes and short notes, each with its own link.

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What makes you different?
What do you have that you did not receive?
Why then boast as if you did not receive?

David Visser

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9EssaysLonger thoughts worked out on paper.8Reading NotesQuotes and reflections, book by book, page by page.2PoetryVerse on Scripture and the Christian life.5Worth KnowingTerms, people, events and words every Christian can learn.

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Every essay, note, poem and saying is filed under its topics and the Scripture it touches.

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